Filmmaker’s death : Police zero in on 15 Audi Q5s but make no headway in case

Figures, meanwhile, show that in 2013, out of 481 fatal accidents, 84 were caused by unknown vehicles. PTI

While the Bandra police have zeroed in on 15 Audi Q5 cars to trace and ascertain the yet-to-be-identified vehicle that killed Bollywood filmmaker Vishal Shah at the Bandra Worli Sea Link on July 21 last year, statistics given by the Mumbai traffic police show that the maximum number of hit-and run-cases in the city have been caused by unidentified vehicles.

“Letters were sent to all the regional transport offices offices seeking registration information of all Q5s, after which we have zeroed in on 15 Audi Q5s. It is difficult even after that to find out whether any of those 15 cars had passed through the Sea Link on that day and time. We are stuck and cannot make any headway,” said inspector Rajendra Kane from Bandra police station.

Figures, meanwhile, show that in 2013, out of 481 fatal accidents, 84 were caused by unknown vehicles. In 2012, out of 271 fatal accidents, 74 were caused by unknown vehicles.

Further, data reveals that 82 and 83 fatal accidents in 2013 and 2012 were caused by two-wheelers, including motorcycles and scooters. “In many accidents involving two-wheelers, especially motorcycles, the riders were not wearing helmet,” said Pratap Dighavkar, deputy commissioner of police (traffic).

Cars have caused the third highest number of fatal accidents. A total of 71 cars were involved in accidents in 2013. In 2012, 60 cars were involved in fatal accidents.
“Many accidents, which have been caused by unknown vehicles, have taken place at odd hours, such as between 3 am and 5 am, when the police presence and traffic is minimum. People tend to drive recklessly and at high speed at these hours, causing accidents, especially on highways,” said Dighavkar.

The other vehicles frequently involved in accidents are tempos, dumpers and buses. According to the statistics, around 21,255 accidents were recorded in Mumbai in 2013, of which 481 were fatal. The traffic police said in 99 per cent of these accidents, the drivers were at fault.